Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 82
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EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack
with Red and when Andy and Martine bought
understanding of what goes on in their heads. I
Kluedo, Nicola had a ride on him. She advised
hope we get to compete at Grand Prix if we are
them to sell him immediately before he killed
good enough,” she says.
Martine. Four other professional riders had said
the same.
Martine persevered for three years with the
Earlier this year Martine became a dressage
trainer herself after being made redundant. She
now trains all types of rider, from beginners
impossible Kluedo, while Andy quietly learned
and nervous riders to the more advanced
to ride so that he and Red could try to persuade
competitor. It took four years for Martine to get
Kluedo that it was safe to go out of the yard
her top hat and tails. “There is no substitute
for a ride. Riding became something that
for dedication and hard work,” she says to her
Martine and Andy did together and Andy is
students. As for the building of a partnership
now a regular visitor to Robert Booth’s yard just
with Kluedo, Martine says it has been blood,
outside Newport, where he learned to show
sweat and lots of tears, but worth every
jump on the now 19-year old Red.
moment.
“Slowly Kluedo and I got to know each other
and now he trusts me implicitly. We still have
Contact Martine for training on 07748 98
6979 or email [email protected]
bad moments and he does still rear sometimes,
especially when I’m teaching him something
Photo above: Martine works on medium trot with
new, but I am not afraid of him any more.
pupil Natasha Coventry riding Charlie.
Now, if he doesn’t understand I know how to
get round the problems.
Kluedo is 14 and in his prime and Martine’s
aim is to train him to Grand Prix level. They
have moved up to Intermediare II, just one
grade down from Grand Prix, which is Olympic
level, and Martine has started to teach Kluedo
how to change legs at every stride.
“I always wanted to compete in a top hat
and tails, and now we do it all the time. At
the beginning, I had given up all hope. It is
a fantastic achievement. I am so grateful to
Kluedo for teaching me so much on the way.
He owes me nothing. I have learned so much
more than just riding. I have discovered how
a horse thinks, learns and reacts. I have an
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Photo below: Warming up for the Prix St
Georges at Merrist Wood , near Guildford